Need your Yale forklift’s manufacturing year? Just check the last letter on its serial number. Yale uses this final character as a year code that repeats every 23 years. Knowing the machine’s exact age helps you get the right replacement parts and plan regular maintenance. This guide shows where to find your data plate, how to read your Yale forklift serial number, and look up its production year fast.
Where to Find the Yale Forklift Serial Number?
To get your manufacturing info, find the data plate (also called the nameplate) first. Most Yale forklifts have this metal plate mounted close to the steering column by the dashboard or next to the operator seat. It lists key specs: mast tilt, tire size, safe load capacity and battery weight limits. Most importantly, you’ll see your Yale forklift model number and serial number here.
These metal plates often get scratched, caked with grease, or painted over when fleets get refurbished. If you can’t read it well, wipe it with mild degreaser. Shine a flashlight sideways so light catches the stamped marks. If the plate is gone or too damaged to use, check the forklift’s heavy steel chassis frame. The serial number is stamped right into it. Look on the right side of the frame, near the step or fender.
Yale Forklift Model Number vs. Serial Number
- The Yale forklift model number tells you which series it belongs to, the frame style and setup. It shows if it’s an electric sit-down forklift or gas-powered unit, plus what tires it runs.
- The serial number is one-of-a-kind for your machine. It shows the build year, which factory made it, and where it fell in the production line. You need this ID to pull maintenance history, check factory recalls, or fix mechanical issues.
Manufacturers sometimes swap parts mid-year. The same model may use a different water pump in January than in November. That’s why you need both model and serial numbers to make sure you order the correct parts.
How Do I Decode My Yale Forklift Serial Number?
Since 1995, the factory has used a standardized four-part format for their serial numbers. Breaking down this code gives you a complete history of your machine. Let us look at a typical serial format and divide it into its four distinct sections.
Part 1: Design Series
The first section consists of a combination of letters and numbers. This prefix links directly to the Yale forklift model number and tells you the specific design series.
Part 2: Manufacturing Plant
The next character is a single letter indicating the exact global facility where the truck was assembled. Here is a breakdown of the plant codes:
- A = Irvine, Scotland
- B = Craigavon, Northern Ireland
- D = Danville, IL, USA
- E = Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- F = Flemington, NJ, USA
- G = Government contracts
- L = Lenoir, NC, USA
- N = Greenville, NC, USA
- R = OBU, Japan
- S = Sulligent, AL, USA
- T = Masate, Italy
- V = Berea, KY, USA
- W = Sioux City, IA, USA
- X = Modena, Italy
Part 3: Production Sequence
Following the plant letter is a sequence of numbers. This shows the exact order your machine was produced at that specific plant. The numbering of production models for each facility typically begins at 1501.
Part 4: Year of Manufacture
The final letter of the entire sequence represents the year your lift truck was made.
How to Find the Year of Manufacture of a Yale Forklift?
Check the last letter of your serial number to find your forklift’s build year. Yale uses a 23-year repeating letter cycle. Letters I, O, and Q are not used in this cycle. They look too much like numbers 1 and 0, which causes mistakes when ordering parts or booking service.
Since the cycle repeats, a letter like “X” could stand for 2000 or 2023. You can usually figure out the right decade by looking at the forklift’s condition, design and features. Use the table below to match your last letter to its production year:
| Letter | Year |
|---|---|
| S | 1995 |
| T | 1996 |
| U | 1997 |
| V | 1998 |
| W | 1999 |
| X | 2000 |
| Y | 2001 |
| Z | 2002 |
| A | 2003 |
| B | 2004 |
| C | 2005 |
| D | 2006 |
| E | 2007 |
| F | 2008 |
| G | 2009 |
| H | 2010 |
| J | 2011 |
| K | 2012 |
| L | 2013 |
| M | 2014 |
| N | 2015 |
| P | 2016 |
| R | 2017 |
| S | 2018 |
| T | 2019 |
| U | 2020 |
| V | 2021 |
| W | 2022 |
| X | 2023 |
| Y | 2024 |
| Z | 2025 |
| A | 2026 |
How to Identify Your Yale Forklift Type by Model Number?
Your Yale forklift model number shows how the truck is built and what jobs it’s made for. Learning to read it lets you know the tire type, power type and load capacity.
Quick tip: If your model code has a “C”, like GC040, it comes with cushion tires. These work best on smooth indoor warehouse floors. If you see a “P”, like GP050, it has pneumatic tires for rough outdoor ground. Below is a list of common series prefixes and their matching models for different forklift types.
Class 1: Electric Motor Rider Trucks
| Code Prefix | Model |
|---|---|
| A814 | ERC030/040AF, ERC030/040AG/BG |
| A839 | ERC070/080/100/120HD, ERC070/080/100/120HG |
| D216 | ERPO40/050/060DH |
| E108 | ER C040/050/060/065RG/ZG |
| F807 | ERP030/035/040TH |
Class 2: Electric Motor Narrow Aisle Trucks
| Code Prefix | Model |
|---|---|
| A295 | NDR030DA, NR035/040DA |
| B301 | OS030EB |
| C815 | NDR030AE, NR035/040/045AE |
| C826 | OS030BD, SS030BD |
| D815 | NDR030EA, NR035/040EA |
Class 3: Electric Motor Hand Trucks
| Code Prefix | Model |
|---|---|
| A817 | MTR-700 |
| A890 | MPE080-E |
| B819 | MCW020/040 |
| B827 | MPB040-E |
| C820 | MSW030/040-E |
Class 4: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Cushion Tires)
| Code Prefix | Model |
|---|---|
| A809 | GC/GLC030/040AF/BF |
| A910 | GC/GLC040/050/060/070VX, GC/GLC055SVX |
| C809 | GC/GLC030-035VX, GC/GLC040SVX |
| C818 | GC070/080LJ, GC100/120MJ |
| E818 | GC/GLC/GDC080, 100, 120VX |
Class 5: Internal Combustion Engine Trucks (Pneumatic Tires)
| Code Prefix | Model |
|---|---|
| A810 | GP/GLP/GDP030/040AF/BF |
| B875 | GP/GLP/GDP040/050/060/070VX |
| B876 | GDP170/190/210/230/250/280DB |
| C813 | GP/GLP/GDP070/080/090LJ, GP/GLP/GDP100/110/120MJ |
| F813 | GP/GLP/GDP080, 090, 100, 110, 120VX |
By matching your prefix to these tables, you can easily verify the exact specifications of your lift truck, ensuring you always order the correct components for your specific chassis and mast configuration.
Summary
Reading your Yale forklift data plate makes fleet maintenance way easier. Get your model and serial number right, and you’ll find the build year fast and order the correct parts. Shop reliable Yale forklift replacement parts at FridayParts.
